Ruiz bumped up again to No. 3 spot in lineup, Law still not throwing

TORONTO – Keibert Ruiz is behind the plate for the Nationals tonight, his fourth straight start to begin the season.

As much as Davey Martinez suggested he might try to give his workhorse starting catcher a few more days off this year, Ruiz’s early production has not only kept him in the lineup. It has bumped him up the lineup.

After batting seventh in each of the Nats’ first two games against the Phillies, Ruiz moved up to the cleanup spot for Sunday’s series finale. And now he’s batting third tonight in the series opener against the Blue Jays.

“He’s getting a chance to hit third today,” Martinez said, not exactly committing to this look long-term. “I wanted to break up our lefties, because (the Blue Jays) do have three left-handed relievers in their bullpen. But he’s swinging the bat well.”

That’s an understatement. On the heels of a miserable 2024 in which he slashed .229/.260/.359, Ruiz homered in each of this season’s first two games, once from the left side of the plate, once from the right. He added another hit and scored two runs Sunday, leaving him 5-for-10 with a double, two homers, three RBIs and a 1.745 OPS to date.

With Dylan Crews still seeking his first hit of 2025, Martinez has decided to keep the slumping rookie in the No. 8 position in the lineup. So, Ruiz has moved way up. He batted fourth Sunday, between Luis Garcīa Jr. and Nathaniel Lowe. Tonight he’s batting third, between James Wood and Lowe.

“He’s been great,” Martinez said. “His progression has been awesome. He’s not trying to do a whole lot. He’s trying to stay in the zone. His swing decisions have been really, really good.”

Ruiz should finally get a day off soon, either Tuesday night or Wednesday afternoon, with Riley Adams taking over behind the plate.

* Derek Law did not accompany the team to Toronto, staying back in Washington while on the 15-day injured list.

Law technically is dealing with right forearm inflammation, but the veteran reliever is simply trying to get his arm into game shape after a delayed start to his spring. He’s eligible to come off the IL on April 8 and has expressed hope he’ll be ready to go.

To do that, Law will need to begin throwing soon, then pitch in either a few simulated games or minor league rehab games. A plan has not been put in place yet for that.

“He’s still working with a rehab consultant there, just trying to build up some strength right now,” Martinez said. “And hopefully when we get back, we’ll see if the throwing program is in play.”

* Andrés Chaparro is eligible to come off the 10-day IL on Thursday, but the first baseman/DH doesn’t appear to be anywhere close to returning from his left oblique strain.

“He’s still building strength,” Martinez said. “It’s been a little slower than we anticipated. But he’s getting better.”

Chaparro suffered his injury March 14 during batting practice prior to an exhibition game against the Braves. It’s not uncommon for oblique strains to require six-to-eight weeks before full recovery, and players typically aren’t able to begin any kind of rehab program until the strain is fully healed, lest they risk making it worse.